Kangaroo Flat

When it comes to holidaying in Victoria, Bendigo has just about the complete package: a golden heritage which is mirrored in the lovingly preserved colonial architectural fabric, a truly temperate climate, a rich Chinese cultural connection reflected in the Golden Dragon Museum, fine food, fine wine and festivals galore.

A wealth of high quality accommodation concentrated in the city centre and inner suburbs such as Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square also make Bendigo an ideal base for discovering Central Victoria's singular attractions - the wineries, fishing and water sports on nearby Lake Eppalock or Lake Cairn Curran and a distinctive array of flora and fauna parks which can be explored by well-defined nature trails designed for both trekkers and cyclists.

As Victoria"s third largest city, Bendigo was visited by Booker Prize winning author, Peter Carey, through the pages of his 1985 novel, Illywacker. His words evoke images of grand days…"I have heard people describe Bendigo as a country town. These people have never been to Bendigo and they don"t know what they are talking about. If there are farmers in the streets, dark cafes with three courses for two and sixpence and, in Hayes Street, a co-op dedicated to Norfield Wire Strainers and Cattle Drench, it does not alter the fact that Bendigo is a town of the Golden Age".